Packaging container

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a packaging container comprising a generally pyramid-shaped body with a top and a base and including a waistband which fits over the top and into a position in which it abuts the sides of the body, wherein the waistband can be separated from the body and the body inverted and placed thereon so that the waistband forms a pedestal for supporting the body in an inverted fashion. The invention further includes methods for displaying foodstuffs and transporting foodstuffs with the packaging container described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a packaging container and, more specifically, to a container for packaging foodstuffs and other goods.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Fruit and other fresh foodstuffs can be packaged and transported in various ways. Often the foodstuff is presented for sale in the same container in which it was transported, for example by means of the various crates or boxes in which fruit may be sold. In other cases, the foodstuff is unpacked from boxes at a grocery store or other retail venue and then presented by means of shelves, stands or bins.

One way of packaging higher-value foodstuffs which has become popular is by selling the foodstuff in translucent plastic punnets. This protects the foodstuff during transportation and handling and avoids the need to re-pack the foodstuff when presenting it for sale. Although punnets are useful for transportation and presenting foodstuffs for sale, in the Applicant's experience these punnets have not gained widespread use in presenting foodstuffs for consumption in the home, largely due to their not providing an easy and aesthetically pleasing means for displaying the foodstuff. Instead, the contents of these containers are usually transferred to bowls or baskets.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a packaging container which permits relatively easy presentation of the foodstuff for consumption. It is a further object of this invention to provide a packaging container which permits for a relatively easy and efficient means of transport of foodstuffs. Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide a packaging container which permits for a relatively easy means for display of the foodstuff at a point of sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a packaging container comprising a generally pyramid-shaped body that has generally triangular sides, a top and a base providing access to the interior of the body, the packaging container including a removable waistband which in a first position fits over the top of the body and abuts the sides, and in a second position, wherein the body is inverted, forms a pedestal for supporting the body in an inverted fashion.

Further features of the invention provide for the body to have a square base with four sides, and for the base to comprise a closure means. For example, the closure means may be a removable lid, a thermoplastic seal or flow wrapped plastic seal, or another closure means known to those skilled in the art or any combination of such closure means.

Still further features of the invention provide for the body and the waistband to include formations which cooperate to locate the waistband in position; and for the formations to be projections on the body which fit into corresponding holes in the waistband.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the sides of the body to slope at about forty-five degrees relative to the base so that six packaging containers can be arranged in a cube with their tops pointing inwards and their bases forming the six sides of the cube. Optionally, the sides of the body may have a stepped configuration, comprising a plurality of steps.

Further features of the invention provide for the body to have ventilation holes provided in the sides or the base or both. Typically, the ventilation holes in the sides are arranged so as to align with the ventilation holes of adjacent packaging containers when the packaging containers are arranged in a cube.

Alternatively, the body may be air-tight and exclude ventilation holes. For example, the lid of the packaging container may be configured such that it cooperates with the base when in a closed configuration to form an air-tight seal. Alternatively, for example, sealing means such as “flow wrapping”, including heat sealed flow wrapping, thermoplastic sealing or similar products known to those skilled in the art may be applied to seal the base. Optionally, the lid may then be applied over the sealing means. Typical products that may require an air-tight seal include fresh cut fruit, dairy products like yogurt, chips or crisps, pretzels, biscuits and the like.

Still further features of the invention provide for the top to be flattened and to have a lowered central portion and a raised rim; and for each corner of the base to include a projection configured to fit over the rim of an adjacent packaging container so that a plurality of packaging containers can be stacked on top of each other in a staggered fashion.

In addition, further features of the invention provide for the lid to comprise a projection on one or more corners such that when in a closed configuration, the projecting corner of the lid extends past the perimeter of the abutting base, thereby to facilitate the opening of the packaging container by a user by the user gripping the projection and pulling the lid away from the base.

The body may be made from a translucent polymer or plastic. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the body is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. However, many other polymers known to those skilled in the art may be used. Without being limited by the example, the body may be vacuum formed, blow-moulded or injection moulded. The waistband may be made from a rigid plastic or paper material and may have indicia printed thereon. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the body is sized so that the width of the square base is between 180 mm and 200 mm. However, it is to be appreciated that the square base of the body may be sized as desired by a manufacturer depending on the foodstuff desired to be packaged.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided a method of displaying a foodstuff within the packaging container of the invention comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a packaging container of the invention comprising a         generally pyramid-shaped body that has generally triangular         sides, a top and a flat base providing access to the interior of         the body, the packaging container including a waistband which         fits over the top and into a position in which it abuts the         sides;     -   separating the waistband from the body;     -   inverting the body and placing it upon the waistband such that         the waistband forms a pedestal for supporting the body in an         inverted fashion.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided an alternative method of displaying a foodstuff within the packaging container of the invention comprising the steps of:

providing a packaging container of the invention having a flattened top comprising a lowered central portion and a raised rim and a base comprising four corners wherein each corner of the base includes a projection configured to fit over the rim of an adjacent packaging container; and

-   -   stacking a plurality of the packaging containers on top of each         other in a staggered fashion.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, there is provided a method of transporting a foodstuff with the use of a packaging container of the invention comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a packaging container of the invention having a body         comprising a top and a base, wherein the sides of the body slope         at about forty-five degrees relative to the base;     -   filling the packaging container with a foodstuff;     -   arranging six filled packaging containers in a cube with their         tops pointing inwards and their bases forming the six sides of         the cube; and     -   stacking a plurality of cubes together for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container in accordance with the invention in a packaged condition;

FIG. 2 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a use condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of six packaging containers aligned to form a cube;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and shows the six packaging arranged in a cube;

FIG. 5 shows six cubes of FIG. 3 arranged in a box;

FIG. 6 shows fifty boxes of FIG. 5 packed on a pallet;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a packaging container in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but shows a waist band in place;

FIG. 9 shows the packaging container of FIG. 8 in the use condition; and

FIG. 10 shows a number of packaging containers of FIG. 8 stacked on top of each other in a staggered fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

This invention provides a packaging container which permits relatively easy presentation of the foodstuff for consumption. This invention further provides a packaging container which permits for a relatively easy and efficient means of transport of foodstuffs. Furthermore, this invention provides a packaging container which permits for a relatively easy and aesthetically pleasing means for display of the foodstuff at a point of sale.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging container (10) in accordance with the invention. The packaging container (10) includes a pyramid-shaped body (12) made from translucent vacuum-formed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. It is, however, to be appreciated that other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. The body has a square base (14), four triangular sides (16) and a flattened top (18).

The packaging container (10) also includes a waistband (20) which can be separated from the body (12). The waistband (20) is sized so that it can fit over the top (18) and into a position in which it abuts the sides (16). The waistband (20) may be made from a rigid plastic or paper material and may have indicia printed thereon (not shown) which may include branding, prices, consumer information and the like. In the packaged condition shown in FIG. 1, the packaging container (10) will be displayed for purchase and foodstuff contained within the body (10) will be visible through the translucent PET plastic.

FIG. 2 shows the packaging container (10) of FIG. 1 in a use condition. The waistband (20) has been separated from the body (12) and the body inverted and placed thereon so that the waistband (20) forms a pedestal for supporting the body (20) in an inverted fashion. The base (14) comprises a lid (22), which has been removed to expose the contents of the container (10).

The packaging container (10) therefore provides an aesthetically pleasing and useful means of displaying foodstuffs for consumption after they have been purchased. It is envisaged that the contents of the packaging container will be displayed for consumption in the use condition, thus obviating the need to transfer the contents into a bowl or basket.

The packaging container (10) is shaped to permit six containers (10) to be arranged into a cube (30) with their tops (18) pointing inwards and their bases (14) forming the six sides of the cube (30), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. To enable the containers (10) to interchangeably be arranged in a cube, the sides (16) of the body (12) of each container (10) slope at about forty-five degrees relative to the base (14).

In one embodiment, the body (10) is dimensioned to permit the cubes (30) to be packed in an efficient manner. Specifically, the width of the base is chosen as about 192 mm so that the cube (30) is 192 mm×192 mm×192 mm. This permits six cubes to be fitted into a standard 400 mm×200 mm box (35), as illustrated in FIG. 5. Fifty of these boxes (35) may be arranged onto a standard pallet (40) in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, which equates to 1,800 individual packaging containers (10). Twelve of these pallets can be fitted into a standard 20 foot shipping container (not shown), which equates to 216,000 individual packaging containers (10). It is envisaged that each packaging container (10) will hold about 650 g of foodstuff, resulting in about 1,170 kg per pallet. Existing punnets typically only result in about 500-600 kg per pallet. The invention therefore leads to increased efficiency in packaging, transportation and storage of foodstuffs.

FIG. 7 shows a packaging container (50) that includes all of the features of the packaging container (10) of FIG. 1 but also includes additional features which will be further described below. As in FIG. 1, the packaging container (50) includes a pyramid shaped body (52), a square base (54) with a removable lid (56), four triangular sides (58) and a flattened top (60).

The sides (58) are provided with a stepped configuration, which has been found to increase the strength of the body (52). It is to be appreciated that any number of steps as desired may be provided. The body also includes ventilation holes (62) provided in the sides (58) and a lid (56) as shown in FIG. 7 and as shown in the partially translucent view of FIG. 8. The ventilation holes (62) are arranged so that they align with the ventilation holes of adjacent packaging containers when the packaging containers (50) are arranged in a cube. This ensures that the contents of all the packaging containers are adequately ventilated during transportation and handling. Alternatively to a lid, the body may be sealed by means of a thermoplastic seal or flow wrapped plastic seal, or another closure means known to those skilled in the art. Further alternatively, the base of the packaging containers may be sealed by means of the seal and the base may then be covered with the lid.

The packaging container (50) includes a removable waistband (64) as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows the packaging container (50) in a packaged condition with the waistband (64) located about the body (52), and FIG. 9 shows the packaging container (50) in a use condition in which the waistband (64) has been separated from the body (52) and the body inverted and placed thereon so that the waistband (64) forms a pedestal for supporting the body (52) in an inverted fashion. The waistband (64) and the body (52) include formations which cooperate to locate the waistband in place. In this embodiment, the formations are projections (66) on the body and corresponding holes (68) provided in the waistband, so that the waistband can be snap-fit into a position in which it abuts the sides (58).

The top (60) has a slightly lowered central portion so that a raised rim (70) is formed around the top (60). Each corner of the base (54) includes a projection (72) which is shaped to fit over the rim (70) of an adjacent packaging container so that a number of packaging containers can be securely stacked together. In this embodiment, the projection (72) is integrally formed in the lid (54) and is shaped to fit into a corner of a top (60) of an adjacent packaging container so that four projections (72) can fit onto each top (60) and the plurality of packaging containers can be stacked on top of each other in a staggered formation as shown in FIG. 10. This permits the packaging containers to be displayed in a compact and attractive configuration at the point of sale without the need for special shelves, stands or bins.

In certain embodiments where it is necessary to provide for an air-tight packaging container, the packaging container will be produced without any ventilation holes (not shown). Furthermore, the lid of the packaging container will be configured such that it cooperates with the base when in a closed configuration to form an air-tight seal.

In an alternative embodiment, the base of the body containing the foodstuff is flow wrapped to seal the body and optionally the lid is then applied over the flow wrap seal (not shown). In the context of this invention, “flow wrapping” refers to a method of packaging that over-wraps a product with a film. Other similar methods known to those skilled in the art include thermoplastic heat sealing and the like. Typical products that may require an air-tight seal include fresh cut fruit, dairy products like yogurt, chips or crisps, pretzels, biscuits and the like.

In a further possible embodiment, the lid or plastic seal may comprise a projection on one or more corners such that when in a closed configuration, the projecting corner of the lid or seal extends past the perimeter of the abutting base (not shown), thereby to facilitate the opening of the packaging container by a user by the user gripping the projection and pulling the lid or seal away from the base.

While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it will be appreciated that many other embodiments exist which fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the packaging container may have any suitable size, may be made from any suitable translucent or opaque material and may include any indicia thereon. The packaging container may be used to package fruit, vegetables, snacks, sweets, chips, nuts, pretzels, dried meats, cut fresh fruit, dairy products such as yoghurt and the like, or any other foodstuffs or consumer goods. 

1. A packaging container comprising a generally pyramid-shaped body that has generally triangular sides, a top and a base providing access to the interior of the body, the packaging container including a removable waistband which in a first position fits over the top of the body and abuts the sides, and in a second position, wherein the body is inverted, forms a pedestal for supporting the body in an inverted fashion.
 2. The packaging container of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a closure means.
 3. The packaging container of claim 2, wherein the closure means includes a removable lid, a thermoplastic seal, a flow wrapped plastic seal or any combination thereof.
 4. The packaging container of claim 1, wherein the body and the waistband include formations which cooperate to locate the waistband in either the first or second position.
 5. The packaging container of claim 4, wherein the formations are projections on the body which fit into corresponding holes in the waistband.
 6. The packaging container of claim 1, wherein the sides of the body slope at about forty-five degrees relative to the base of the body such that six packaging containers can be arranged in a cube with their tops pointing inwards and their bases forming the six sides of the cube.
 7. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more ventilation holes.
 8. The packaging container according to claim 7, wherein the ventilation holes are in one or more sides and are arranged so as to align with the one or more ventilation holes of one or more adjacent packaging containers.
 9. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the body is air-tight.
 10. The packaging container according to claim 9, wherein the base of the packaging container is sealed by a sealing means.
 11. The packaging container according to claim 10, wherein the sealing means includes an air-tight lid, flow wrapping, thermoplastic sealing or heat sealed flow wrapping.
 12. The packaging container according to claim 10, wherein a lid is further applied over the sealing means and onto the base.
 13. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the top of the body is flattened and comprises a lowered central portion and a raised rim, and wherein each corner of the base comprises a projection configured to fit over the rim of an adjacent packaging container so that a plurality of packaging containers can be stacked on top of each other in a staggered fashion.
 14. The packaging container according to claim 2, wherein the closure means comprises one or more projections on the periphery of the closure means relative to the abutting base, such that when in a closed configuration, the projecting corner of the closure means extends past the perimeter of the abutting base.
 15. The packaging container according to claim 1, which is made from a translucent polymer or plastic material.
 16. The packaging container according to claim 15, which is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic.
 17. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the body is vacuum formed, blow-moulded or injection moulded.
 18. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the waistband is comprised of a rigid plastic or paper material and optionally includes indicia printed thereon.
 19. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the body is sized so that the width of the square base is between about 180 mm and about 200 mm.
 20. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the sides of the body have a stepped configuration comprising a plurality of steps.
 21. A method of displaying a foodstuff within the packaging container of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: providing a packaging container comprising a generally pyramid-shaped body that has generally triangular sides, a top and a flat base providing access to the interior of the body, the packaging container including a waistband which fits over the top and into a position in which it abuts the sides; separating the waistband from the body; and inverting the body and placing it upon the waistband such that the waistband forms a pedestal for supporting the body in an inverted fashion.
 22. A method of displaying a foodstuff within the packaging container of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: providing a packaging container comprising a flattened top with a lowered central portion and a raised rim and a base with four corners wherein each corner of the base includes a projection configured to fit over the rim of an adjacent packaging container; and stacking a plurality of the packaging containers on top of each other in a staggered fashion.
 23. A method of transporting a foodstuff with the use of the packaging container of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: providing packaging container including a body comprising a top and a base, wherein the sides of the body slope at about forty-five degrees relative to the base; filling the packaging container with a foodstuff; arranging six filled packaging containers in a cube with their tops pointing inwards and their bases forming the six sides of the cube; and stacking a plurality of cubes together for transport. 